Two agency brands have unveiled expansion plans for 2019 to boost their offerings to buyers and sellers.

Winkworth has launched a new land and homes division for franchisees in the home counties.

Headed by land and new homes director Sebastian Clarke, based at Winkworth Romsey, the division will focus initially on developments in Hampshire and surrounding areas

Clarke will also be on hand to offer advice to the rest of Winkworth’s network of franchisees and there is also a dedicated website.

Clarke said: “A number of Winkworth offices, both in London and across the country, have been dealing with new homes sales for many years now, but with so much happening in the house building industry over the next few years, it felt like the right time to launch an official land and new homes division.

“Our aim is to be a one-stop shop for clients and to offer a high-quality, personal and unique service.

“For us, the housebuilding industry is just as important as sales and lettings, and we look forward to building on our current connections in the industry, helping deliver more quality housing to our clients and working with our other local offices to help them build their expertise and relationships.”

Dominic Agace, chief executive of Winkworth, said: “This is a promising new venture for our network and I have no doubt that Sebastian, whose contacts and knowledge of the industry are already fantastic, will do a brilliant job of driving forward our new homes offering.

“We expect this to be an interesting year for the property industry, but we hope that our network of offices will make the most of the services we offer to strive for maximum success for their own businesses.”

Meanwhile, Spicerhaart Part Exchange and Assisted Move has announced its own expansion plans.

The firm, which works with developers and primarily Spicerhaart’s own agents to help buyers sell their existing homes, said it is looking to move to new premises in Sheffield to cope with rising headcount amid a boom in business and will also take on an additional sales consultant and two new business development managers this year.

Jan Biggins, national sales manager at Spicerhaart Part Exchange and Assisted Move, said she thinks the slowdown in the market has encouraged more developers to look at adding a part-exchange option for buyers.

She said: “As a result of Brexit the property market has been a lot slower, and developers are finding it considerably harder to sell their new-builds.

“However, those that are adapting to offer a ‘complete package’, including options for those who want to buy but are unable to sell their current home, are securing more sales.”